Bicycle wheel securing structure

ABSTRACT

A bicycle wheel securing structure includes an adapter, an axial retaining arrangement and a holding member. The adapter is configured and arranged to be mounted in an axle mounting opening of a bicycle fork and has an axial bore that is at least partially threaded. The axial retaining arrangement is disposed between the adapter and the mounting opening to prevent axial removal of the adapter from the mounting opening. The holding member is attached to the bicycle fork. The holding member and the adapter are configured and arranged such that the holding member prevents rotation of the adapter when the adapter is mounted in the axle mounting opening of the bicycle fork and engaged with the holding member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/676,052 filed on Feb. 16, 2007 (pending).The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/676,052 ishereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention generally relates to a connection between a bicycle forkand a wheel securing axle of a bicycle hub. More specifically, thepresent invention relates to a bicycle wheel securing structure used toattach the wheel securing axle of the bicycle hub to the bicycle fork.

2. Background Information

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation aswell as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a verypopular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whetherthe bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, thebicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of thebicycle.

A bicycle is generally provided with a frame and a front fork that isconnected in a freely rotatable manner to a front end portion of theframe. The front fork basically includes a fork stem, a fork crown and apair of fork legs. The two fork legs are arranged on opposite sides ofthe front wheel with the tip end portions of the fork legs beingconnected to a front hub arranged on the rotational center of the frontwheel. The fork crown is connected to the upper end portions (i.e.,opposite ends from the tip end portions) of the fork legs. The fork stemis connected to the fork crown, and is arranged to extend upwardly formthe fork crown. The fork stem is supported on the front end portion ofthe frame in a freely rotatable manner. In some cases, the front fork isa suspension fork with each of the fork legs including an upper or innertube and a lower or outer tube that is telescopically arranged with theupper tube. The rear part of the frame has a similar rear fork that isnot pivotal like the front fork. The rear fork can be fixed to the frame(i.e. a hard tail type) to form the rear triangle of the frame or can bea suspension type rear fork attached to the frame.

Typically, the lower tip ends of the forks are provided with dropouts(open ended slots) for attaching the wheels. In the past, the ends ofthe hub axles were inserted into the dropouts (open ended slots) andthen fastened with nuts. However, since bicycle wheels often need to beremoved from the frame, e.g., whenever there is a flat tire or a need totransport the bicycle in an automobile, wheel securing mechanisms weredeveloped in order to facilitate easier removal and reinstallation ofthe wheels. A typical wheel securing device includes a skewer with athreaded end having a wheel securing member mounted at the other end.The wheel securing member includes a base with a lever and a camstructure. A nut is detachably threaded onto the threaded end of theskewer after the skewer is inserted through the hub body. The forkflanges are arranged between the base of the wheel securing member andthe hub body and between the nut and the hub body, respectively. Thus,the hub can be attached by clamping the fork flanges using the wheelsecuring lever. While these typical wheel securing mechanisms generallywork well, a tighter connection between the hub and the frame has beenin demand for some riders.

Thus, bicycle hubs and bicycle forks have been designed such that anaxle of the hub is threadedly attached directly to the bicycle fork. Anexample of this type of arrangement on a front hub and front fork isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,675. With this type of arrangement, aknob is provided on the end of the hub axle opposite the threaded end.The knob is used to rotate the axle during installation to both tightenthe axle to the front fork and to clamp one fork flange between the knoband the hub. With this type of hub, a tighter connection between the huband the front fork is possible as compared to typical wheel securinghubs. However, because of this tighter connection, it is necessary tomake the front fork stronger.

In view of the above conventional technology, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a needfor an improved connection between a fork and a wheel securing axle of ahub. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as otherneeds, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thisdisclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheelsecuring structure, which utilizes a removable adapter that isoverridably prevented from being removed from a bicycle fork onceattached thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheelsecuring structure, which can provide a strong connection between abicycle fork and a wheel securing axle of a bicycle hub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle wheelsecuring structure, which utilizes a removable adapter that can bereplaced with a different adapter in order to attach a hub with adifferent configuration to the fork.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bicyclewheel securing structure, which utilizes a holding member configured andarranged to prevent rotation of the adapter for easy attachment to andrelease from a wheel securing axle of a hub.

The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicyclewheel securing structure, which comprises an adapter, an axial retainingarrangement and a holding member. The adapter includes a first portion,a second portion and an axial bore. The first portion has a firstmaximum width. The second portion extends axially from the firstportion. The second portion has a second maximum width that is smallerthan the first maximum width of the first portion to form an axiallyfacing abutment surface between the first and second portions. Thesecond portion is configured and arranged to be mounted in an axlemounting opening of a bicycle fork. The axial bore extending from asecond end face of the second portion is at least partially threaded.The axial retaining arrangement is disposed between the second portionof the adapter and the mounting opening to prevent axial removal of theadapter from the mounting opening. The holding member is attached to thebicycle fork. The holding member and the adapter are configured andarranged such that the holding member prevents rotation of the adapterwhen the adapter is mounted in the axle mounting opening of the bicyclefork and engaged with the holding member.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with theannexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle with a front fork havinga front hub attached to the front fork using a bicycle wheel securingstructure in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial front elevational view of the front fork,front hub and wheel securing structure illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the front hub, front fork and wheelsecuring structure illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a slightly enlarged, partial longitudinal cross sectional viewof the front hub, front fork and wheel securing structure illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, as seen along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front perspective view of the front hub, frontfork and wheel securing structure illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded front perspective view of the front hub,front fork and wheel securing structure illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the front hub, front forkand wheel securing structure illustrated in FIGS. 2-6;

FIG. 8 is a partial, longitudinal cross sectional view of the front hub,front fork and wheel securing structure illustrated in FIG. 7, as seenalong section line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded, partial longitudinal cross sectional view of thefront hub, front fork and wheel securing structure illustrated in FIG.7, as seen along section line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a front hub, a front fork and abicycle wheel securing structure in accordance with a second embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial, longitudinal cross sectional view of the fronthub, front fork and wheel securing structure illustrated in FIG. 10, asseen along section line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded, partial perspective view of one of the fork legsand the wheel securing structure illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, butwith two different wheel securing adapters shown in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a front hub, a front fork and abicycle wheel securing structure in accordance with a third embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of a front hub, a front fork and abicycle wheel securing structure illustrated in FIG. 13, as seen alongsection line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments of the present invention will now be explained withreference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in theart from this disclosure that the following descriptions of theembodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration onlyand not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a bicycle 10 is illustrated inaccordance with the present invention. The bicycle 10 basicallyincludes, among other things, a main frame 12 with a rear triangle 14, afront suspension fork 16, a front wheel 18, a rear wheel 20, a handlebar 22 and a drive train 24. The front wheel 18 is attached the frontfork 16 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,as explained below. Otherwise, the bicycle 10 and its various componentsare conventional.

Thus, the rear wheel 20 is attached to the rear triangle 14 in aconventional manner. The handle bar 22 is fastened to the frontsuspension fork 16 (hereinafter “the front fork 16”) to steer thebicycle 10 in a conventional manner. The drive train 24 is attached tothe bicycle 10 to propel the bicycle in a conventional manner. The drivetrain 24 is a conventional drive train that basically includes a chain,a front crankset, a rear cassette sprocket set, a pair of pedals, a pairof derailleurs, etc. Since the bicycle 10 and its various components areconventional, the bicycle 10 and its various components will not bediscussed and/or illustrated in detail herein, except as related to thepresent invention. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in thebicycle art from this disclosure that various modifications can be madeto the bicycle 10 and its components without departing from the presentinvention. For example, the rear triangle 14 can be connected to therear wheel 20 in the same manner as the connection between the frontfork 16 and the front wheel 18. Also the present invention can beapplied to a non-suspension front fork and/or to a rear suspension typebicycle frame.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front wheel 18 basically includesa front hub 30, a rim 32 and a plurality of tension spokes 34 extendingbetween the front hub 30 and the rim 32. A tire is mounted on the rim 32in a conventional manner. The structure of the front wheel 18 is notcritical to the present invention, and thus, will not be discussedand/or illustrated in detail herein, except as necessary to understandthe present invention. Specifically, only the front hub 30 will bebriefly discussed to understand the connection of the front hub 30 tothe front fork 16 in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the front hub 30 basically includes atubular hub axle 36, a wheel securing axle 38, a pair of bearing units40 and a hub shell 42. The hub shell 42 is rotatably supported on thetubular hub axle 36 via the bearing units 40. The wheel securing axle 38extends through the tubular hub axle 36 and fixes the tubular hub axle36 to the front fork 16 so that the hub shell 42 can rotate about thetubular hub axle 36 on the bearing units 40. In particular, the wheelsecuring axle 38 has a skewer or shaft 38 a that extends through thetubular hub axle 36. One end of the skewer 38 a has external threads 38b, while the other end of the skewer 38 a has a cam lever 38 c pivotallymounted thereto by a steel cam (not shown) and a cam cap 38 d thatsurrounds the cam of the cam lever 38 c. The cam cap 38 d is the part ofthe wheel securing axle 38 that moves axially back and forth relative tothe skewer 38 a when the cam lever 38 c is moved between a release oropen position (not shown) and a clamping or closed position in aconventional manner.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, 8 and 9, the tubular hub axle 36 includes astepped (externally) tubular part 36 a, a washer part 36 b and aretaining ring part 36 c. The stepped tubular part 36 a is an elongatedelement that has the washer part 36 b retained on an end thereof usingthe retaining ring part 36 c. Specifically, the retaining ring part 36 cis mounted in an internal annular groove of the washer part 36 b, andthe stepped tubular part 36 a has a shallow annular groove that engagesthe retaining ring part 36 c when the washer part 36 b is slid onto theend of the stepped tubular part 36 a. The stepped tubular part 36 a andthe washer part 36 b are each preferably constructed as a one-piece,unitary member from a lightweight, rigid, metallic material. On theother hand, the retaining ring part 36 c is preferably constructed as aone-piece, unitary member from a lightweight, rigid, synthetic resinmaterial. Due to the above construction, the stepped tubular part 36 aand the washer part 36 b are configured and arranged such that thewasher part 36 b is overrideably retained on the end of the steppedtubular part 36 a, once the front hub 30 is fully assembled. Thus,undesirable axial displacement of the washer part 36 b can be prevented.

The washer part 36 b has a larger axially facing contact area than thefree end of the stepped tubular part 36 a on which the washer part 36 bis mounted. The opposite end of the stepped tubular part 36 a has anaxially facing contact surface the same size as the correspondingsurface of the washer part 36 b so as to have the same size contactarea. This configuration allows the stepped tubular part 36 a to beinserted axially through other parts of the front hub 30 from the rightside as shown in FIG. 4, yet to have an inserted end with a contact areaas large as the free end of the stepped tubular part 36 a once thewasher part 36 b is attached to the stepped tubular part 36 a. Theenlarged contact areas on the stepped tubular part 36 a and the washerpart 36 b contribute to reduced axial contact pressure between the frontfork 16 and the tubular hub axle 36. Thus, the chance of potentialdamage to the front fork 16 can be effectively reduced even if the fronthub 30 is very tightly secured to the front fork 16, even after extendeduse. Moreover, the enlarged contact areas on the stepped tubular part 36a and the washer part 36 b contribute to a very rigid, strongholding/supporting connection between the front hub 30 and the frontfork 16. The front fork 16 has recesses that cooperate with the ends ofthe tubular hub axle 36, as explained below.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the skewer38 a is a two-part member having an outer shaft 44 and an inner shaft 46threadedly attached within an internal bore of the outer shaft 44. Inthis embodiment, the cam lever 38 c and the cam cap 38 d are attached toa free end of the inner shaft 46 that extends out of the internal boreof the outer shaft 44. A retaining member such as a bolt (shown) 48 or apress pin (not shown) extends transversely through holes formed in theouter shaft 44 and the inner shaft 46 to prevent rotational movement ofthe inner shaft 46 relative to the outer shaft 44 when the retainingmember 48 is disposed in the transverse holes, as best understood fromFIG. 4. Since the outer and inner shafts 44 and 46 are threadedlycoupled together, axial movement of the inner shaft 46 relative to theouter shaft 44 is prevented when relative rotation is prevented. Ofcourse, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art fromthis disclosure that the skewer 38 a illustrated herein is merely oneexample of many possible structures that could be utilized as neededand/or desired. The outer shaft 44 preferably has an O-ring 45 mountedin an annular groove adjacent the external threads 38 b.

When swinging the cam lever 38 c from full open (not shown), to fullclosed, one should just start to feel some resistance when the cam lever38 c is pointing straight out (sideways or perpendicular) from the wheel18. This resistance should start getting harder at about two-thirds theway closed, and really hard up to the three-quarter point closed (stillone-quarter open). Then, turning of the cam lever 38 c typically geteasier the rest of the way. Thus, the cam lever 38 c moves “over thetop” of its cam. However, some wheel securing axles just getprogressively tighter without any perceptible feel of “going over thetop”.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4, the front fork 16 is rotatably mounted toa head tube in a front part of the main frame 12, and is used to steerthe front wheel 18. As seen in FIG. 2, the front fork 16 basicallyincludes a fork stem or steerer tube 50, a fork crown 52 and a pair offork legs 54 and 56. The fork legs 54 and 56 are arranged on oppositesides of the front wheel 18 with the tip end portions of the fork legs54 and 56 being connected to the front hub 30 that is arranged on therotational center of the front wheel 18. In the illustrated embodiment,the front fork 16 is a suspension fork in which the fork leg 54 includesan upper or inner tube 58 and a lower or outer tube 60 that istelescopically arranged with the upper tube 58, while the fork leg 56includes an upper or inner tube 62 and a lower or outer tube 64 that istelescopically arranged with the upper tube 62. The fork crown 52 isconnected to the upper ends of the upper tubes 58 and 62 (i.e., oppositeends from the tip end of the lower tubes 60 and 64) of the fork legs 54and 56. The fork stem 50 is connected to the fork crown 52, and isarranged to extend upwardly form the fork crown 52. The fork stem 50 issupported on the front end portion of the main frame 12 in a freelyrotatable manner.

The lower end of the outer tube 60 of the (first) fork leg 54 includes afirst axle mounting opening or bore 66 and a cutout 68 that receives oneend of the tubular hub axle 36. Specifically, the cutout 68 partiallyreceives the free end of the stepped tubular part 36 a. The first axlemounting opening 66 receives the skewer 38 a therethrough. Specifically,the axle mounting opening 66 is sized to slidably receive the outershaft 44. The lower end of the outer tube 64 of the (second) fork leg 56includes a second axle mounting opening or bore 70 and a cutout 74 thatreceives one end of the tubular hub axle 36. Specifically, the cutout 74partially receives the washer part 36 b of the tubular hub axle 36.

The axle mounting bore 72 has a step-shaped configuration with anenlarged section 72 a and a reduced section 72 b, each of which areunthreaded. The enlarged section 72 a of the axle mounting bore 70 isconfigured and arranged to receive a wheel securing adapter 76 in areleasable and reinstallable manner. Moreover, the enlarged section 72 aof the axle mounting bore 70 is configured and arranged to normallyprevent axial removal of the wheel securing adapter 76 when the wheelsecuring adapter 76 is mounted in the enlarged section 72 a.

Specifically, the enlarged section 72 a of the axle mounting bore 70 hasan annular groove 72 c formed therein that is configured and arranged tooverrideably, releasably and reinstallably engage a part of the wheelsecuring adapter 76, as explained below in more detail. In other words,the wheel securing adapter 76 can be installed, removed and reinstalledwithout damaging the lower end of the outer tube 64 of the fork leg 56,and the wheel securing adapter 76 can be axially retained in the axlemounting opening 70 even when the wheel securing adapter 76 is notattached to the skewer 38 a. The reduced section 72 b receives theskewer 38 a therethrough, and is sized to support the skewer 38 a. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the axle mounting bore 70 has a circularshape as viewed along the center axis thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-9, the wheel securing adapter 76 will now beexplained in more detail. The wheel securing adapter 76 is preferably aone-piece, unitary member that is formed of a hard rigid material.Preferably, the material of the wheel securing adapter 76 is harder thanthe material of the outer tube 64 of the fork leg 56. Thus, if the wheelsecuring adapter 76 becomes damaged, the wheel securing adapter 76 canbe replaced without replacing the front fork 16, which is sometimesnecessary with prior art connections.

The wheel securing adapter 76 includes a first adapter portion 76 a anda second adapter portion 76 b with an internal bore 76 c extendingcompletely through both the first and second adapter portions 76 a and76 b. Thus, the first and second adapter portions 76 a and 76 b arearranged to form a first end face with a first opening on the firstadapter portion 76 a and a second end face with a second opening on thesecond adapter portion 76 b with the internal bore 76 c extendingaxially from the first end face into the first adapter portion 76 a tothe second end face into the second adapter portion 76 b. Alternatively,the internal bore 76 c could be a blind bore that extends from thesecond end face on the second adapter portion 76 b, and the skewer 38 acould be axially shorter than illustrated herein.

The internal bore 76 c includes an unthreaded section 76 d disposedadjacent the second end face of the second adapter portion 76 b and athreaded section 76 e axially spaced from the second end face of thesecond adapter portion 76 b. Thus, the unthreaded section 76 d isaxially disposed between the threaded section 76 e and the second endface of the second adapter portion 76 b. The threaded section 76 ethreadedly engages the external threads 38 b of the end of the skewer 38a of the wheel securing axle 38 to secure the tubular hub axle 36 of thefront hub 30 to the outer tube 64 of the fork leg 56. The O-ring 45mounted on the outer shaft 44 engages the unthreaded section 76 d toprevent undesirable rotation of the skewer 38 relative to the wheelsecuring adapter 76.

In this embodiment, the second adapter portion 76 b is received in theaxle mounting opening 70, while the first adapter portion 76 a abutsagainst the lower end of the outer tube 64 of the (second) fork leg 56.The second adapter portion 76 b has an external surface 76 f that isunthreaded along the entire axial length of the second adapter portion76 b. An annular groove 76 g is formed in the external surface 76 f. AnO-ring 77 is disposed in the annular groove 76 g so that the O-ring 77normally projects at least partially radially outwardly from theunthreaded external surface 76 f to contact an internal surface of theaxle mounting opening 70 (i.e., the enlarged section 72 a or the annulargroove 72 c depending on the axial position of the wheel securingadapter 76).

The annular groove 76 g is axially wider than the maximumcross-sectional diameter of the O-ring 77, but radially shallower thanthe maximum diameter of the O-ring 77, as best seen in FIG. 9. Theannular groove 72 c has a similar configuration as shown in FIGS. 8 and9. Thus, the O-ring 77 can be compressed into the annular groove 76 gduring insertion of the second adapter portion 72 b into the enlargedsection 72 a of the axle mounting hole 70, as best understood from FIGS.8 and 9. However, the O-ring 77 engages the annular groove 72 c formedin the enlarged section 72 a once axially aligned therewith.Specifically, each of the O-rings 45 and 77 is preferably constructed ofan elastomeric material such as rubber so that the O-rings 45 and 77 canbe elastically deformed. Thus, even though the elastically deformedshape of the O-ring 77 is not illustrated herein, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the bicycle art.

Due to the above arrangement, the O-ring 77, the external surface of thewheel securing adapter 76 and the axle mounting bore 70 are configuredand arranged to cooperate with each other to prevent relative axialmovement of the wheel securing adapter 76 within the axle mounting bore70, especially in the fully installed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 8.Accordingly, the O-ring 77, the external surface 76 f of the wheelsecuring adapter 76 having the annular groove 76 g and the enlargedsection 72 a of the axle mounting bore 70 constitute parts of an axialretaining arrangement disposed between the second adapter portion 76 bof the wheel securing adapter 76 and the axle mounting opening 70 tooverrideably, releasably and reinstallably prevent axial removal of thewheel securing adapter 76 from the axle mounting opening 70.

Referring to FIGS. 3-9, preferably, the lower end of the outer tube 64of the fork leg 56 has a threaded hole 56 a for threadedly receiving abolt 80. The bolt 80 includes a threaded shaft 80 a and an enlarged head80 b with a hexagonal bore formed therein. The threaded shaft 80 a isthreadedly received in the threaded hole 56 a, and tightened such thatthe enlarged head 80 b abuts against the lower end of the outer tube 64.When the bolt 80 is fully installed and the wheel securing adapter 76 isfully installed, the enlarged head 80 b engages the first adapterportion 76 a of the wheel securing adapter 76 to prevent relativerotation of the wheel securing adapter 76.

Preferably, the wheel securing adapter 76 is installed in the axlemounting opening 70 prior to attaching the bolt 80 so that the wheelsecuring adapter 76 can be rotated if needed to more easily install thewheel securing adapter 76. Once the wheel securing adapter 76 is fullyinstalled, the bolt 80 is can be installed to prevent rotation of thewheel securing adapter 76. The wheel securing axle 38 can be threadedlyattached to the wheel securing adapter 76 after the bolt 80 is installedor before the bolt 80 is installed. Specifically, if the starting threadposition of the wheel securing adapter 76 needs to be adjusted (i.e., toadjust the final position of the cam lever 38 c), the bolt 80 should beinstalled after the wheel securing axle 38 so that the desired finalrotational position of the wheel securing adapter 76 can be adjustedduring attachment of the wheel securing axle 38 prior to installing thebolt 80. If the thread starting position of the wheel securing adapterneeds to be adjusted again later, the bolt 80 should again be removed sothat the wheel securing adapter 76 can be rotated. Also, if the wheelsecuring adapter 76 needs to be removed (e.g. to be replaced with a newidentical wheel securing adapter 76 or a different type of wheelsecuring adapter), the bolt 80 is preferably removed so that the wheelsecuring adapter 76 can be rotated if needed to more easilyremove/uninstall the wheel securing adapter 76 from the axle mountingopening 70.

In other words, it will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle artfrom this disclosure that the wheel securing adapter 76 can be replacedwith a modified wheel securing adapter for use with a modified wheelsecuring axle. For example, a different type of hub may be provided,which has a modified wheel securing axle a different sized threadedskewer. In such a case, a modified version of the wheel securing adapter76 can be provided, which has an internal bore having a sizecorresponding to the modified wheel securing axle (e.g., the bore 76 ccan be modified to be sized like the bores 176 c and 176 c′ of the wheelsecuring adapters 176 and 176′ in the later described embodimentsreferencing FIGS. 10-14) or another size corresponding to the desiredwheel securing axle, if needed and/or desired. Furthermore, it will beapparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from this disclosure thatthe bolt 80 does not necessarily have to be installed after installingthe wheel securing adapter 76, or removed prior to uninstalling thewheel securing adapter 76. However, such a practice could make it easierto install/uninstall the wheel securing adapter 76 since rotation of thewheel securing adapter is permitted when the bolt 80 is removed.Moreover, following this procedure also allows the user to rotationallyadjust the thread starting point of the threaded section 76 d whenattaching the wheel securing axle 38.

Referring still to FIGS. 3-9, the wheel securing adapter 76 will now beexplained in more detail. The first adapter portion 76 a is cylindricalshaped with a first maximum width or diameter D1. The second adapterportion 76 b extends axially from the first adapter portion 76 a. Thesecond adapter portion 76 b is also cylindrical shaped with a secondmaximum width or diameter D2 that is smaller than the first maximum ordiameter D1 of the first adapter portion 76 a to form an axially facingabutment surface 76 h therebetween, as seen in FIG. 9. The externalsurface (i.e., an outer circumferential surface) of the first adapterportion 76 a includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced apartnotches or recesses 79 to form a scalloped outer circumferentialsurface.

Each of the recesses 79 is configured to selectively receive theenlarged head 80 b therein to prevent the wheel securing adapter 76 fromrotating when the wheel securing adapter 76 is in a predeterminedrotational position. Thus, the bolt 80 cooperates with one of therecesses 79 to prevent the wheel securing adapter 76 from rotatingrelative to the outer tube 64 of the fork leg 56 in a predeterminedrotational position. Because there are plurality of circumferentiallyspaced apart recesses 79 as mentioned above, the second adapter portion76 b is mounted into the axle mounting bore 70 of the front fork 16 sothat the rotational position of the wheel securing adapter 76 isadjustable. By rotating the wheel securing adapter 76, the user canadjust the screw starting point of the skewer 38 a into the wheelsecuring adapter 76 to a desired location. Thus, the bolt 80 cooperateswith one of the recesses 79 to lock the wheel securing adapter 76 in aposition with a desired screw starting point for threading the skewer 38a into the wheel securing adapter 76.

In this embodiment, the bolt 80 constitutes part of a holding memberthat is removably attached to the front fork 16 in accordance with thepresent invention. The holding member and the wheel securing adapter 76are configured and arranged such that the holding member preventsrotation of the wheel securing adapter 76 when the wheel securingadapter 76 is mounted in the axle mounting opening 70 of the front fork16 and engaged with the holding member. In other words, the holdingmember includes the bolt 80. Specifically, in this embodiment, thethreaded shaft 80 a forms an attachment portion of the holding memberconfigured and arranged to be removably attached to the bicycle fork andthe enlarged head 80 b forms an engagement portion configured andarranged to non-rotatably engage an outer circumferential surface of thefirst adapter portion 76 a of the wheel securing adapter 76. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that theholding member can be modified if needed and/or desired. For example,the holding member can utilize a bolt similar to the bolt 80 and anadditional member that forms the engagement portion, as explained in thelater described embodiments referencing FIGS. 10-14.

Since the wheel securing adapter 76 reinstallable into the axle mountingbore 70, different size wheel securing adapters can be used with thefront fork 16 so that different size wheel securing axles can be used,if needed and/or desired. By selecting adapters having various diametersof threaded through bores, the wheel securing skewers having variousdiameters can be used as needed and/or desired without changing thediameter of the axle mounting bore 70 of the front fork 16. Thus, thearrangement of the present invention allows for a single front fork tobe used with different size hubs. For example, if weight savings isdesired, then a user can use a hub with a wheel securing skewer having asmaller diameter. Alternatively, if a higher rigidity is desired in thehub, then a user can use a hub with a wheel securing skewer having alarger diameter. Furthermore, by rotating the adapter, the user canadjust the screw starting point of the wheel securing skewer into theadapter to a desired location. By adjusting the screw starting point ofthe wheel securing skewer into the adapter, it is also possible toadjust the final position of the wheel securing lever when the wheelsecuring lever is completely screwed in to the final fixing position.Thus, a user can adjust the final position of the wheel securing leverby rotating the adapter as he/she wants, e.g. such that the wheelsecuring lever does not accidentally move to the open position bycontacting against a foreign object (such as rocks, immoderateundulation of ground, or the like) during a ride of a bicycle.

Referring again to FIGS. 2-9, the lower end of the outer tube 64 of thefork leg 56 will be discussed in more detail. As mentioned above, theinner sides of the lower ends of the outer tubes 60 and 64 of the forklegs 54 and 56 are provided with the cutouts 68 and 74, respectively toaid in the installation of the front hub 30. The cutout 68 is a mirrorimage of the cutout 74 of the lower end of the outer tube 64 of the(second) fork leg 56. Thus, only the cutout 74 of the outer tube 64 ofthe fork leg 56 will be discussed below. The cutouts 68 and 74 aredimensioned to at least partially mate with the ends of the tubular hubaxle 36 (i.e., the enlarged contact areas on the stepped tubular part 36a and the washer part 36 b), which also contributes to reduced axialcontact pressure between the front fork 16 and the tubular hub axle 36.Thus, the chance of potential damage to the front fork 16 can beeffectively reduced and a very rigid, strong holding/supportingconnection between the front hub 30 and the front fork 16, even if thefront hub 30 is very tightly secured to the front fork 16, even afterextended use.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the cutout 74 surrounds the axle mounting bore70 on the inner side surface of the outer tube 64 of the fork leg 56that faces the lower end of the outer tube 60 of the fork leg 54. Thecutout 74 is basically defined by an end abutment or inner steppedsurface 74 a and a peripheral abutment surface 74 b with an insertionopening 74 c being formed at the lower end of the cutout 74. The endabutment surface 74 a constitutes a first axial abutment surface that isconfigured to directly abut against an exposed hub axle end face of thetubular hub axle 36 (i.e., the washer part 36 b). The peripheralabutment surface 74 b constitutes a second lateral abutment surface thatis configured to directly abut against an exposed hub axle side face ofthe tubular hub axle 36 (i.e., the free end of the stepped tubular part36 a). The end abutment surface 74 a and the peripheral abutment surface74 b form an inner stepped portion of the cutout 74. The insertionopening 74 c is basically a break in the peripheral surface 74 b toallow insertion of the exposed hub axle end of the tubular hub axle 36into the cutout 74. With such an arrangement, rigidity when the frontfork 16 and the hub 30 are assembled is improved because of the presenceof two abutment surfaces at each lower end of the fork 16. To furtherimprove assembly, the cutout 74 is preferably provided with a taperedguide surface 74 d that defines a tapered guide portion of the insertionopening 74 c. The tapered guide portion (the tapered guide surface 74 d)is configured for easy insertion (axial alignment in particular) of thetubular hub axle 36 into the inner stepped portion of the cutout 74 froma direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fork leg 56. Itwill be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle art from thisdisclosure that the cutouts 68 and 74 can be replaced with cutouts likethose in the following embodiments referencing FIGS. 10-14, as explainedbelow.

The front fork 16, the skewer 16, the wheel securing adapter 76 with theO-ring 77 and the bolt 80 constitute parts of a wheel securing structurein accordance with the present invention. In other words, the wheelsecuring adapter 76, the axial retaining arrangement and the holdingmember (parts of the wheel securing structure) cooperate with part ofthe front fork 16 and the skewer 38 to securely attach the front wheel18 to the front fork 16.

Second Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 10 to 12, parts of a modified wheel securingstructure in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention will now be explained. The wheel securing structure of thissecond embodiment includes a modified wheel securing adapter 176 or176′, a modified outer tube 164 of the fork leg 156 and a modifiedholding member. The wheel securing adapters 176 or 176′ are identical toeach other except they have different sized internal bores 176 c and 176c′, respectively. Each of the wheel securing adapters 176 or 176′ is aone-piece, unitary member that are formed of a hard rigid material.Preferably, the material of the wheel securing adapters 176 and 176′ isharder than the material of the outer tube 164 of the fork leg 156.

The wheel securing adapter 176 includes a first adapter portion 176 aand a second adapter portion 176 b with an internally threaded bore 176c extending completely through both the first and second adapterportions 176 a and 176 b. The external surface of the second adapterportion 176 b has an externally threaded surface 177 in place of theannular groove 76 g and the O-ring 77 of the first embodiment. The wheelsecuring adapter 176 is threadedly mounted in a threaded axle mountingopening 170 of the outer tube 164 so that the rotational position of theadapter 176 is adjustable. Furthermore, by rotating the wheel securingadapter 176, the user can adjust the screw starting point of a modifiedskewer 138 a (with a threaded end 138 b) into the wheel securing adapter176 to a desired location. The threaded connection between the secondadapter portion 176 b and the mounting opening 170 constitutes an axialretaining arrangement in accordance with this second embodiment of thepresent invention.

The first adapter portion 176 a has plurality of circumferentiallyspaced apart notches or recesses 179 like the first embodiment. Therecesses 179 selectively receive a locking or holding tab 182 therein toprevent the wheel securing adapter 176 from unthreading (rotating). Theholding tab 182 is attached to the outer tube 164 using a bolt 180having a threaded shaft and an enlarged head like the bolt 80 of thefirst embodiment. In this embodiment, the bolt 180 and the holding tab182 constitute parts of a holding member in accordance with this secondembodiment of the present invention. Thus, the locking tab 182 forms andengagement portion of the holding member that cooperates with one of therecesses 179 to prevent the wheel securing adapter 176 from m rotatingrelative to the outer tube 164 of the fork leg 156.

The lower end of the outer tube 164 has a stepped configuration that isdifferent than the in the first embodiment. The holding member (i.e.,the bolt 180 and the holding tab 182) of this second embodiment isparticularly useful when such a stepped lower end is utilized. Even if astepped lower end is not utilized, a two-part holding member similar tothis embodiment may be utilized, as discussed below with reference tothe third embodiment. The lower end of the outer tube 164 furtherincludes a cutout 174 that is a modified version of the cutout 74 of thefirst embodiment. The cutouts 68 and 74 of the first embodiment may bereplaced with cutouts configured like the cutout 174 if needed and/ordesired.

The cutout 174 surrounds the axle mounting bore 170 on the inner sidesurface of the outer tube 164 of the fork leg 156 that faces theopposite fork leg *not shown). The cutout 174 is basically defined by anend abutment or inner stepped surface 174 a and a peripheral abutmentsurface 174 b with an insertion opening 174 c being formed at the lowerend of the cutout 174. The end abutment surface 174 a constitutes afirst axial abutment surface that is configured to directly abut againstan exposed hub axle end face of a modified hollow hub axle 136.Preferably, the ends of the outer hollow axle are sized like the firstembodiment so that the cutout 174 is sized like the cutouts 68 and 74 ofthe first embodiment. However, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art from this disclosure that various sizes of cutouts 68, 74 and174 may be provided depending on the hub.

The peripheral abutment surface 174 b constitutes a second lateralabutment surface that is configured to directly abut against an exposedhub axle side face of the hollow hub axle 136. The end abutment surface174 a and the peripheral abutment surface 174 b form an inner steppedportion of the cutout 174. The insertion opening 174 c is basically abreak in the peripheral surface 174 b to allow insertion of the exposedhub axle end of the hollow hub axle 136 into the cutout 174. With suchan arrangement, like the first embodiment rigidity of the assembledstructure is improved because of the presence of two abutment surfaces.To further improve assembly, the cutout 174 is also preferably providedwith three tapered guide surfaces 174 d, 174 e and 174 f that define atapered guide portion of the insertion opening 174 c. The tapered guideportion (the tapered guide surfaces 174 d, 174 e and 174 f) isconfigured for easy insertion of the hollow hub axle 136 into the innerstepped portion of the cutout 174 from a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the outer tube 164.

The tapered guide surfaces 174 d and 174 f constitute a pair of opposedend guide surfaces and the tapered guide surface 174 e constitute acentral guide surface extending between the tapered guide surfaces 174 dand 174 f (i.e., the opposed end guide surfaces). The tapered guidesurfaces 174 d and 174 f (i.e., the opposed end guide surfaces) areinclined relative to the lower edges of the peripheral surface 174 b(i.e., the second lateral abutment surface). The tapered guide surface174 e (i.e., the central guide surface) is inclined relative to theinner stepped surface 174 a (i.e., the first axial abutment surface).

As seen in FIG. 12, since the wheel securing adapter 176 reinstallableinto the axle mounting bore 170, different size wheel securing adapterscan be used so that different size wheel securing axles can be used. Forexample, the additional wheel securing adapter 176′ illustrated includesa first adapter portion 176 a′ with recesses 179′ and a second adapterportion 176 b′ with an internally threaded bore 176 c′ extendingcompletely therethrough. The external surface of the second adapterportion 176 b′ has an externally threaded surface 177′ in place of theannular groove 76 g and the O-ring 77 of the first embodiment. Theadditional wheel securing adapter 176′ is identical to the wheelsecuring adapter 176, except that the internally threaded bore 176 c′has a larger diameter than the through bore 176 c. It will be apparentto those skill in the bicycle art from this disclosure that the one ormore of the features of the this second embodiment can be used in placeof corresponding features of the first embodiment if needed and/ordesired, and vice versa. Accordingly, this second embodiment will not beexplained in further detail herein.

Third Embodiment

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, parts of a modified wheel securingstructure in accordance with a third embodiment of the present inventionwill now be explained. The wheel securing structure of this thirdembodiment includes modified outer tube 264 and a modified holding tab282. Otherwise, this third embodiment is identical to the secondembodiment. Accordingly, this third embodiment is illustrated inconjunction with the wheel securing adapter 176, the hollow hub axle136, and the skewer 138 a (with the threaded end 138 b) of the secondembodiment, and like reference numerals will be used for like parts.Alternatively, the wheel securing adapter 176′ may be used. The modifiedouter tube 264 does not have a stepped configuration like the secondembodiment. Thus, the modified holding tab 282 is not stepped. However,the modified outer tube 264 has a threaded bore 270 like the threadedbore 170 so that the wheel securing structure of this third embodimentis used in conjunction with the skewer 138 a (with the threaded end 138b) of the second embodiment. Also, the modified outer tube 264 has acutout 274 like the cutout 174 of the second embodiment so that thewheel securing structure of this third embodiment is used in conjunctionwith the hollow hub axle 136. It will be apparent to those skill in thebicycle art from this disclosure that the one or more of the features ofthe this third embodiment can be used in place of corresponding featuresof the first and/or second embodiments if needed and/or desired, andvice versa. Accordingly, this third embodiment will not be explained infurther detail herein.

General Interpretation of Terms

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts. As used herein to describe thepresent invention, the following directional terms “forward, rearward,above, downward, vertical, horizontal, below and transverse” as well asany other similar directional terms refer to those directions of abicycle equipped with the present invention. Accordingly, these terms,as utilized to describe the present invention should be interpretedrelative to a bicycle equipped with the present invention as used in thenormal riding position. Finally, terms of degree such as“substantially”, “about” and “approximately” as used herein mean areasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the endresult is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. Furthermore, the foregoing descriptions of theembodiments according to the present invention are provided forillustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention asdefined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

1. A bicycle wheel securing structure comprising: an adapter including afirst portion having a first maximum width, a second portion extendingaxially from the first portion, the second portion having a secondmaximum width that is smaller than the first maximum width of the firstportion to form an axially facing abutment surface between the first andsecond portions, the second portion being configured and arranged to bemounted in an axle mounting opening of a bicycle fork, and an axial boreextending from a second end face of the second portion that is at leastpartially threaded; an axial retaining arrangement disposed between thesecond portion of the adapter and the mounting opening to prevent axialremoval of the adapter from the mounting opening; and a holding memberattached to the bicycle fork, the holding member and the adapter beingconfigured and arranged such that the holding member prevents rotationof the adapter when the adapter is mounted in the axle mounting openingof the bicycle fork and engaged with the holding member.
 2. The bicyclewheel securing structure according to claim 1, wherein the axialretaining arrangement includes an O-ring.
 3. The bicycle wheel securingstructure according to claim 2, wherein the O-ring is constructed of anelastomeric material.
 4. The bicycle wheel securing structure accordingto claim 3, wherein the O-ring is constructed of rubber.
 5. The bicyclewheel securing structure according to claim 2, wherein the secondportion of the adapter has an annular groove with the O-ring disposedtherein such that the O-ring projects at least partially radiallyoutwardly from an outer surface of the second portion of the adapter tocontact an internal surface of the axle mounting opening when the secondportion of the adapter is mounted in the axle mounting opening.
 6. Thebicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 5, wherein the outersurface of the second portion of the adapter is non-threaded along anentire axial length of the second portion.
 7. The bicycle wheel securingstructure according to claim 5, wherein the holding member includes anattachment portion configured and arranged to be removably attached tothe bicycle fork and an engagement portion configured and arranged tonon-rotatably engage an outer circumferential surface of the firstportion of the adapter.
 8. The bicycle wheel securing structureaccording to claim 1, wherein the holding member includes an attachmentportion configured and arranged to be removably attached to the bicyclefork and an engagement portion configured and arranged to non-rotatablyengage an outer circumferential surface of the first portion of theadapter.
 9. The bicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 8,wherein the holding member includes a bolt configured and arranged to bethreadedly attached to a threaded mounting opening of the bicycle fork.10. The bicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 9, whereinthe bolt includes a threaded shaft that forms the attachment portion ofthe holding member, and an enlarged head that forms the engagementportion of the holding member.
 11. The bicycle wheel securing structureaccording to claim 10, wherein the outer circumferential surface of thefirst portion of the adapter has a plurality of circumferentially spacedrecesses, each recess being configured and arranged to selectivelyreceive the enlarged head of the bolt at least partially therein in apredetermined rotational position.
 12. The bicycle wheel securingstructure according to claim 8, wherein the outer circumferentialsurface of the first portion of the adapter has a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced recesses, each recess being configured andarranged to selectively receive the engagement portion at leastpartially therein in a predetermined rotational position.
 13. Thebicycle wheel securing structure according to claim 1, wherein the axialbore is a through bore extending from a first end face of the firstportion to the second end face of the second portion.
 14. The bicyclewheel securing structure according to claim 13, wherein the through boreincludes a threaded section disposed in an area spaced from the secondend face and an unthreaded section disposed between the threaded sectionand the second end face.